Excess weight is unhealthy and uncomfortable. It also makes your cat more susceptible to bladder/urinary tract disease, kidney disease, breathing difficulties, arthritis, heart failure, and orthopedic pain. It’s not hard to get kitty back on track. Try these simple tips:
- Get a current weight and compare it to what your cat weighed the last time he had a veterinary appointment, so you know what you’re up against.
- Make weight loss gradual. Cats can safely lose 0.5 to 2 percent of their body weight weekly, which is about 3.2 ounces per week for a 10-pound cat. Losing more can cause a deadly health problem called hepatic lipidosis.
- Skip free feeding. Instead of allowing your cat to eat at will, put out small meals for her throughout the day, so you can control her total intake.
- Choose a weight-reduction commercial diet rather than just feeding less of his current food. This will help ensure he gets adequate nutrition.
- Play with your cat. Exercise will help and few cats can resist a feather toy or a ball to chase or bat around for at least a few minutes every day.
